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Section 785.19 (c) Continued. <br />• coverage of the same areas, were sent to the consulting firm <br />NRC, Incorporated (NRC) for analysis. The interpretations by NRC <br />are summarized as follows: No alluvial valley floor exists in <br />or adjacent to the study area; 10 percent or less of the Middle <br />Creek flood plain adjacent to Energy Mine No. 1 could be an allu- <br />vial valley floor; most of the Fish Creek flood plain adjacent to <br />Energy Mine No. 2 is probably an alluvial valley floor; and <br />one area just west of Reservoir No. 1 outside the mine plan <br />area on upper Foidel Creek is probably an alluvial valley floor. <br />Again, no evidence was found to indicate the vegetative growth of <br />an alluvial valley floor in the study area. <br />Effects on Essential Hydrologic Functions <br />Based on the information accumulated in the reconnaissance and <br />field investigations and the baseline data collection program, the <br />• effects of mining on any alluvial valley floors which may exist <br />downstream from the mine plan area have been evaluated. Mining <br />will not directly impact any alluvial valley floor; however, the <br />possible indirect effects of mining on the essential hydrologic <br />functions of alluvial valley floors are discussed below. <br />The floodplain of Fish Creek is adknowledged to meet the geomorphic <br />criteria and has been tentatively identified by color infrared <br />photography as an alluvial valley floor. Runoff from Energy Mine 2 <br />drains into this floodplain. Energy Fuels has taken appropriate <br />measures to protect the essential hydrologic functions of the Fish <br />Creek floodplain by designating stream buffer zones, and by install- <br />ing sedimentation ponds (see Energy Mines No. 1 and 2 Existing <br />Structures, Pip 34) and monitor stations (see Twentymile Park <br />Hydrology, Map 6) on the drainages from disturbed areas feeding into <br />Fish Creek. The role of the floodplain in collecting, storing, regu- <br />lating and yielding water for agricultural activities has been unchanged <br />• by mining upslope. With mining at Energy Mine 2 scheduled to cease in <br />785-16 <br />